02—Not So Harmless
Fujimura's eyes snap open as she's seized by a single, violent, whole-body twitch, similar to when one's brain plays that terrible trick, deceiving itself into thinking its body is falling. The reason she's so suddenly awake isn't clear, and she doesn't long dwell on it.
She is awake, and that's what matters.
Stretching toward the ceiling with her arms, and toward the window with her legs, she lets out a tired yawn. As she lets her head fall back, she glimpses the sun's rays coming in to greet her through the window.
Sakura-chan should be here soon to get breakfast ready…
She smiles, then rolls her head to her right, and her smile vanishes.
There, the futon is unmade, and the person who should be in it is clearly not.
It's not unlike his other dreams, what Shirou sees in his half-sleeping, half-waking state. A single monochrome blade, what seems to be a claymore, occupies his full field of view. But the details of the blade are fuzzy. Indistinct, it persists only briefly, before fading, being replaced with an endless field filled with swords, buried blade first in the ground, as if having been planted to grow into something else. These dreams have always been a part of him, for as long as he can remember. Never has there been rhyme or reason to it.
Just one of his mind's odd quirks which makes his mind his, and makes him, him.
Behind the otherwise unusual imagery, his mind cycles through the knowledge he's gained, as minds are wont to do. Though his mind, unlike most, focuses primarily on things pertaining to the arcane. Things like what his father taught him. Like how, even if magi are deviants, outcasts from society, there still exists an organization made for them, of them, and by them, called the "Mage's Association."
And that, because of the Association's flippant and contradictory nature, he should have nothing to do with them.
Their only purpose is to keep magic secret, his father told him. They shy away from restricting the use of magic, and they don't care if a magus abuses ordinary people, as long as the one doing so doesn't draw the public eye. Which, of course, leads to people thinking themselves above the law, confident to do what they please, feeling it's fine as long as they do so without being discovered.
But the Association is vigilant, and understands well that any magi insane enough to menace the general populace would quickly expose the secret. So, for that reason, they permit no magi to conduct research which would harm society and the normal world. As a result, most are good little mages who stay at home and conduct their research in secret, and the world, by and large, continues to turn, unaware and unaccosted.
Still, there are those who try.
Setting aside the lunatic fringe, there may even be some of the more sane caste of which he's unaware, here, in this very city, though there is at least one he's just recently become aware of. After all, the city is a well-known spiritual focal point, and places like it will always have some mage with a rich lineage and history overseeing the area. An elite, sometimes called a "Second Owner", entrusted by the Association with the role of keeping things safe and sane, and the one with whom any magi desiring to set up shop must first consult before doing.
But who that person is, Shirou doesn't know.
As his father cut ties with the Association, basically becoming an arcane outlaw, and moved to this city without first even consulting the administrator, his actions basically making both him and Shirou more like squatters than legitimate tenants. If this person even knew Kiritsugu existed, Shirou couldn't say, and since the man passed on, it leaves him, unskilled as a magus and unknown to the Magic Association, in a sort of nebulous gray area.
Of course, they'd want to know of him, since he's an amateur, and having him as a sort of rogue element poses a risk. But as far as he can tell, there's been no sign they're even aware of his existence. Though it could just be that they have very few eyes set on Japan. Still, it's said that even if there are few, their eyes are everywhere, so he has to remain on guard.
Being reckless results in attracting enemies, after all. And it's not just the Association with whom reckless individuals would have to contend. Crimes committed with magic result in the church, on the other side of the scale, dispatching their own enforcers, heretic hunters, to deal with the perpetrator.
It's a lot to be concerned about, and Shirou rolls over as his mind finishes flipping through it, settling on one simple conclusion—
Just have to keep my nose clean, my head down, and stick to my studies in private. Though thanks to…?
Still mostly asleep, Shirou rolls again, this time to his right, and his nose bumps against something. The scent of winter flowers reaches up into his nose, causing it to twitch, but his eyes remain closed. The fragrance mingles with his other senses, and, gradually, the field of blades in his mind shifts, until it's fully replaced with a field of white flowers and warm snow.
A comfortable setting.
Welcome, it persists, but only for what feels like moments before his sleep is disturbed by a loud bang and rattle, causing him to jerk awake. The first thing his eyes spy is his nose planted right between Illya's eyes, which twitch some in response to his sudden motion.
Ah… right. Illya… uh—
"Shirou!" A loud, panicked voice brings him from partially awake to about three quarters, and he rolls his head over, lifting it from the pillow to spot Fujimura in her yellow night-gown, her eyes wide and her mouth open in a concerned frown. "Illya-chan! She's…! She's—!"
"Hm…?"
Now partially awake herself, Illya makes a small sound, then sits up as well. The blanket covering them both slides down, revealing her and her flowing pink night-dress to the panicked person who'd just barged in.
"Oh… Thank god, she's not missing. She's just…" Slowly, Fujimura's voice trails. Her sleep addled brain's gears turn, and the tumblers gradually fall into place. "She's… here…"
Her mouth pulls up, clipping closed, and her eyes lose their worry, becoming instead blank, hiding something he can't quite make out as she slides the door until it's completely closed.
Huh…? That's odd. I thought for sure she'd…
Shirou muses quietly, tilting his head, then shrugs and looks over at Illya, who blinks up at him, wearing a sleepy smile.
"Morning… Onii-chan…" Still groggy, she opens her arms and tosses them over his shoulders, pulling herself close in a warm hug.
"Good morning, Illya." He smiles down at her, ruffling her hair. "Did you sleep okay?"
She nods, then repositions herself. As she does, Shirou winces, grinding his teeth and turning a shade of red. A visceral grunt escapes his mouth, and he's forced to shift her just slightly. As she looks down to see what happened, she spots the problem, then turns red herself.
When he follows her gaze down toward his morning issue, where she'd just inconveniently buried her bare foot, his redness deepens.
All Illya can do is let out a nervous giggle.
"Onii-chan… You're kind of… enthusiastic this—"
Shirou interjects desperately, cutting off her teasing jest.
"Ah! Illya, please don't say things like that! This is a normal thing for guys in the morning! It's one reason I didn't think this was such a good—"
Before he can finish his thought, the door to his room again slams open.
Shirou snaps his head around and feels his throat closing up and trying to swallow at the same time. At what he sees, his face, he's sure, could quickly double for paper.
Convenient, if he had the time to use it for getting his affairs in order.
And there's the other reason… Yeah… That's more about what I expected… I'm a dead man.
There, with rivulets running down her silently screaming red face, fully dressed in her green dress and yellow shirt with black stripes, stands a woman who has fully embraced her namesake. The once and future Tiger of Fuyuki, Fujimura Taiga. Her hair is as damp with sweat as the collar of her shirt, and the brown of her eyes is highlighted with red as she glares into the room.
Shirou's eyes slowly track down, and he tries to swallow again when he spies the shinai held in her right hand, clenched so tightly by the hilt it vibrates. In the hands of a normal student, the weapon serves well as a reasonably harmless implement for training in kendo.
In the hands of this woman, who now lunges forward like the wind, it serves as a dangerous implement for dispatching generous quantities of discipline.
"WHERE DID I GO WRONG?!"
Shattering the morning's calm, her words come like the very literal roar of an actual tiger.
Reflexively, Shirou pushes Illya to the side, out of the futon and out of harm's way. A gesture proved fully unnecessary by the teacher's precise aim. Barely, Shirou has the time to roll to the side as the shinai slices the air, slamming the futon so hard it rattles the floor, echoing a crash into and through the quiet halls of the house.
"Fuji-nee, wait a second! I can—"
Even as he speaks, he's fully confident she's in no frame of mind to listen to whatever he has to say, regardless of how valid it is. He springs up and starts running for the door. By this point, the blood which had pooled below his waist is now fully and evenly dispersed through his body, running through his legs, arms, lungs and brain, facilitating his desperate flight.
He's right, of course, in that his words don't reach her ears, not that they could as she flies after him, swinging the training weapon with reckless abandon, slamming it into walls, doors, floors and the ceiling. Yet somehow, miraculously, missing with each strike. Even more miraculous, or perhaps a testament to the quality of the house's construction, no damage is suffered to any place the missed blows land.
"YOU'VE BECOME AN ENEMY TO WOMEN EVERYWHERE, SHIROU! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO SAY TO KIRITSUGU WHEN I SEE HIM IN HEAVEN?!"
"Fuji-nee! Please just wait, and let me—!"
Behind them, Illya shuffles sleepily outside their room, yawning and rubbing her eyes as she follows quietly behind.
Despite appearances, to her, it somehow already feels like a perfectly normal morning.
Several more bangs, crashes, and feral yelling come from inside the house as Sakura, Rider, and Taiasu stare at the door. Unconsciously, Taiasu steps in front of Sakura. Before Rider can phase through the door into the residence, it slams open, shuddering to a rest in its tracks. Taiasu's eyes widen fully, and his stiff, concerned frown dissolves away as his mouth falls open.
A look Sakura shares as well, as Shirou sprints past them in his white nightshirt and long thermal underwear. Behind him, a black and yellow blur swinging a stick like a moving whirlwind of death flies past them in hot pursuit. And further back, Illya shuffles out, stretching and yawning.
For now, she's willing to bear the cold just to watch the amusing spectacle play out.
"Ah… Sakura… What?"
Taiasu turns his head up as he asks, but being exactly as informed as he is, she can only look down and offer a perplexed head-shake. She turns her head up just in time to catch Shirou's desperate eye as he flees back inside.
Aw, man! Sakura's here early again! And now I have to explain all of this to her! And she saw me in my—!
For now, all he can do is run like hell, hoping to get to the dojo and secure something to fend off the irrational tiger until she burns herself out. Maybe then he can explain how ridiculous she's being.
"Fun morning…" Chiming casually, Illya grins up at Sakura, who looks down at her, tilting her head. "Makes me glad I stayed over."
"Illya… chan? What's going on?"
She shrugs. "That lady saw me and Onii-chan in the futon together. I guess she got the wrong idea. I don't see how she could have. Nothing happened, and we were both fully dressed…"
Sakura's ears stop working after the words 'futon together'. Beneath her vest, her chest tightens, and her hand finds its way to her sleeve, clinging to and tugging at it like an ineffectual security blanket.
Just his sister… Just his sister…
Repeatedly, she repeats the thought in her mind like a mantra, drawing in a breath to settle the disconcerting, discontented, disquieted feeling in her heart.
"You and Senpai… spent the night together?"
Illya nods. "Mm… I had a nightmare. Something bad, from a long time ago… He was reluctant." Her grin widens. "I can see why, now."
Relaxing some, Sakura lets out her deep breath. "I see… Well, Senpai is very much…?" She stops mid-statement as her eyes track down, coming to rest on Taiasu's collapsed form.
Only just now does she notice.
"T-Taruko-kun!" As she stoops down, her hand comes to her mouth, which falls open as her eyes widen. "A-Are you—?"
"Again?" Illya strolls over, her fingers laced behind her back, and looks down at him, tilting her head. "Wow. He's really out of it, this time… I wonder if it's me again…?"
"You? Again? Wait, what are you saying, Illya-chan?" Fully knelt down now, Sakura looks up at Illya, and sees her shrug.
"I saw him like this when we first met, is all…" She reaches down and pokes his head with her finger. He doesn't respond. "But he was still conscious, at least… And when he came around, he had many interesting things to say." She looks up at Sakura, and her smile is gone. She's not frowning, either. It's just a calm line.
"Interesting… things?" Sakura's voice trails off. There're volumes unspoken in those words, but Illya simply nods.
"You're better off asking him about it." She stands and turns toward the house. "I should probably go explain things to that crazy lady before she actually beats Onii-chan senseless." She walks back inside. But before she slides the door closed behind her, she shoots one last look back.
"I'm looking forward to breakfast."
With that said, she then slides the door closed, leaving Sakura with Taiasu, still collapsed face-down.
The sound of the front door latching closed is punctuated by another within Sakura's mind. She's not given the time to process anything that's happening. Not what Illya's said, and certainly not whatever is going wrong with Taiasu right now, when Rider's voice interjects, literally, into her thoughts.
'Master… Sakura. I do not mean to disturb you, but we are not alone here.'
'Rider?' Sakura looks toward where her servant, still invisible, stands. 'How do you mean?'
'There is another Servant here. I cannot say with certainty, but by what I can sense from it, I suspect it is Berserker.'
The class of servant means little to her. Sakura's never been well informed on the details of this conflict. She was merely a tool used by her grandfather to summon her own Servant. To fulfill his wishes. Still, the news twists her stomach in knots, causing her to feel ill. Whatever its class, its presence is a major concern.
Another Servant… But whose…? And why?
Taiasu moans, then twitches, stirring from his unconscious state, catching Sakura's attention, causing her to look down.
Illya-chan said I should ask him what they talked about.
Her throat and mouth are desperately dry, and both oppose her as she tries to swallow down to address it. She doesn't want to ask, not because she doesn't want to know, but because she's afraid of what it could mean.
She's a magus. She and Taiasu spoke… Until now, I didn't think… No. I hoped he didn't know… But now, I'm not so sure.
It's another few seconds after he stirs before Taiasu lets out another audible groan. Sitting up, he presses his hand into his head. His entire body shakes briefly, and he winces, staring at the ground, waiting for things to come back into focus.
Urg… That—!
He looks up and spies Sakura staring down at him, wearing a deeply concerned frown like he's never seen. It brings with it an atmosphere that knocks away what he's just seen, thanks to the Echo.
"Um.. Sakura? Everything—"
"I need to ask you something."
Just as he's asking, she cuts him off. If she hesitates now, she'll lose her nerve. It's not just them there, right now. It's them, and her Servant, and another Servant. For now, that Servant has been content just being there, but how long that will be true remains to be seen.
I really hope I'm wrong…
Slowly, she draws in a deep, steadying breath, then looks down to see Taiasu tilting his head. She knows if she asks, he'll tell her the truth. After all, he seems wholly incapable of otherwise.
"Yesterday, when you met that girl… Illya-chan… Tell me everything that happened."
Less a question, and more a carte blanche request for information. Taiasu's face is telling, the way his eyes widen and his mouth falls open, and how his skin loses a shade of color. That alone answers several of her questions. Especially when combined with what she observed of him yesterday, when the girl was talking at the table about their 'misunderstanding.'
If it'd been anyone else asking, he'd try to play it off. But it's not anyone else. And here, he can read the room as clear as a book. It's not something he should skirt around, or speak evasively about. Just by the question, he can tell she knows something.
Damn it… I didn't mean to hide it from her… I just…
He stares down at the ground, trying to settle his nerves with a deep breath.
Trying to find his words.
Guess I'll start with that.
He takes in another breath, but can't raise his head.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to hide it from you."
"How could you have…" Sakura's tone is like ice.
'Rider… for now, please monitor Berserker. If he does anything, try to stop him. If you can't…' She forces down a painful swallow. 'Then try to stop his Master.'
Sakura receives a silent, affirmative sensation from her Servant. Grimly satisfied, she turns her attention to Taiasu, who bores a hole in the ground with his eyes, wringing his hands at his waist. He's just spent the past several minutes giving as succinct as possible a description of everything that happened last night. From the time he met the girl to the time they ran into Shirou outside.
Right about where they are now.
"You knew." Sakura's whispered words carry a vorpal edge. Something he's never heard from her before. "What that girl is. You knew, and yet you still…" At her sides, she digs her nails into her palms. Her hands quake violently. "What were you THINKING?!"
He can't speak a reply. The crushing weight of her justified anger forces any words from his mind and any air he could use to voice them from his lungs. Sakura doesn't wait long before going on.
"Nothing?! Fine, then I'll explain it!" Desperately, she tries to hold back some of the more harsh words she wishes to say. "That girl, Illya! She's a magus! And you knew! She also had that… monstrous… THING! She had it attack you! Whatever you didn't know, it should have been clear just how… DANGEROUS she is, Taruko-kun! And you… You…!"
She can't even finish her sentence.
Taiasu's thoughts reel, and he can only stare at the ground, his own hands and arms shaking as well, as he tries to rein them in. All that's left for him is to move forward and try to explain his reasons.
"Everything you said is true… Sakura…" He speaks low. His tone is steady, but his gaze remains fixed on the ground. "But it's not as simple as all that. I didn't mean to hide it from you."
"WHY?!"
Unrestrained, she shouts at him now. Fear, anger, and doubt all swirl and swell in her mind. Until this moment, her only concern about him had been the risk he posed exposing the secret. That was something she could manage. But that he could show such reckless, wanton disregard for the safety of those around him defies everything she thought she'd learned.
Finally, he looks up from the ground, showing a small, sad frown. Not because she's berating him. He knows he has that coming, especially after what Illya said last night.
But for something else.
"I'd like to explain, if you'll let me."
His calm tone is disarming. Sakura feels some of her frustration sapped by it, but her brow remains deeply furrowed, and she continues to glare down at him. Still, she offers a single, stiff, curt nod.
And he takes his time explaining the Echo, and what he'd seen that night.
It takes minutes for him to explain fully. It also takes superhuman effort on Sakura's part to hold her tongue until he's done. By the time he's finished, she's no longer as frustrated, now having at least a tenuous understanding of his reasons, and a small grasp of his perspective.
But she's still deeply unsettled and anxious.
"So… after your Echo showed you all that…"
Taiasu nods. "I felt awful… I wanted to do something. I wasn't thinking that far ahead. She agreed after she saw inside my mind that she'd dismiss her Servant. But I still wanted to show her some sort of… kindness…" He kicks at the ground, his hands clenched at his sides. In his mouth, his teeth grind against each other. "I wasn't thinking clearly… I know it was thoughtless and reckless—"
"Thoughtless? Reckless?! That's not the half of it!" Somehow, his admission of his understanding of just how badly he screwed up reignites Sakura's frustration. "What would you have done if she'd gone back on her word, Taruko-kun?!"
"If she'd gone back—?!" Immediately, he snaps his head back, meeting her burning glare with firm resolve. "Of course, I'd have fought to defend you!" His own brow narrows and furrows tightly between his eyes. "I'd have fought and died to make sure you all stayed safe!"
"Ah—!" She lets out a small gasp. The swift certainty with which he speaks strips Sakura of her vexation, replacing it with just more deep confusion. "Died… to defend us?"
"Yes!" Taiasu snaps. "It's only fair, right?! It was my stupidity which caused the problem! Or, would have caused the problem!"
"But…?" Sakura shakes her head, trying to regain her senses. "But why?!"
"Why?" Taiasu blinks up at her question, feeling his jaw fall slack. "Why?! Why Wouldn't I? I already said! And especially after you…" His voice trails for a moment, as his gaze falls again to the ground. "After you called me your friend… I mean, I already…"
He swallows, then looks back up.
"You had your reasons for looking after me since I got here. You could have treated me like a burden, or a problem, but you went out of your way to make sure I didn't feel like that! You were… kind…" He sighs, and his gaze falls again. "I know it probably doesn't make sense to you, but it means a lot to me! So of course, I'd work to repay that kindness!" Again frustrated, mostly at himself and his inability to effectively explain his thinking, he raises his voice. At his sides, his hands clench and shake. "Especially if it was something stupid I did that put you in danger! And even more so, now!"
"Now…?" Sakura blinks down, shaking her head. "Why n—?"
"YES, NOW! After what I saw…! What I… saw…" His voice trails again.
Her bewilderment. His frustration. Trying desperately to explain himself. Everything has pushed the horrific visions of what he'd seen when the Echo resonated with Sakura's soul into the back of his mind.
But now, those images come flooding back, forcing his eyes closed against them.
Uselessly.
They're not in front of his face.
They're in his head.
